Nicki Minaj just teamed up with MAC Cosmetics, again! She collaborated with the global makeup brand on two new pinky-nude hues of lipstick with an Amplified finish. Meet — Nicki’s Nude, and The Pinkprint. From what I understand, this is just the first release of several with the brand she’ll be doing in the near future, based upon the press information I received. I don’t know what those products will be, but I can’t wait to find out!

Nicki’s Nude is a creamy coral-pink, while The Pinkprint is a creamy mid-tone pink. Both are lovely — but I’m pretty taken with Nicki’s Nude. I found that they’re wearing for about four hours, and they definitely don’t dry my lips out — but they’re not super hydrating either. I find that they are both indeed very pigmented. [Read more…]

Wowza! Look at just a few varieties of pink lipstick there are in the Urban Decay VICE Lipstick Collection. If you haven’t tried this new-ish lippie formula yet, you are in for a treat — a really pink one!

It just so happens, that the brand sent these over for review (thank you, Urban Decay!) — but they’re dupes for me. Guess what that means? One of you will win a collection of 10 (yes, TEN!) fabulous pink shades in a variety of finishes. Sharing is caring, after all. These Metallized, Mega Matte, Cream, Comfort Matte, and Sheer VICE Lipsticks can all be yours. Keep on reading to enter! [Read more…]

This palette from Urban Decay has taken social media by storm in the last week! When it arrived, I couldn’t believe my eyes — such a gorgeously warm amber-hued shade offering in their NAKED category — NAKED Heat ($54). Now, these aren’t shades that I commonly look to daily for my more mature eyelids, but what the heck! Life’s too short not to step outside of the box. Please treat this post as more of a “first impressions” feature, versus a comprehensive review, because I’ve only had it for a few days and have not been able to apply all 12 shades in different configurations on my eyes.

I have worn six of the shades (not all at one time!), but have touched, swiped, and tinkered around with them all enough to get a pretty good idea of what I think about them. I wanted to get this up as soon as possible to try to help you with a buying decision, as this one is heavily anticipated in the beauty community. [Read more…]

Just launched: the Fruity Juicy Collection from MAC! It’s home to some gorgeously tropical summer-inspired shades for eyes, lips, and face — and also a few cute accessories/brushes. (I’m actually kinda bananas about the eyeshadow palettes, especially.) I have a few fun pieces of the collection to share that MAC kindly sent over for review. The packaging of this collection is perfection!

From MAC…

Sail away on a sweet scent-sation of frootilicious tropical colour. Go bananas in vibrant lipsticks, or zest up your life with Cremesheen Glass and three new Eyeshadow x 6 palettes. Sundream the days away with Bronzing Powders or Pearlmatte Face Powder. Then chase those last rays with Lustre Drops, while the evocative scent of Prep + Prime Fix+ sets the mood for whatever the evening heat may bring.

Of the products I tried — this one was my favorite! I have to be honest — sometimes I find the shadows in MAC palettes to be stiffer than the singles, but of course that depends on the formula/shade. The Oh My Banana Eyeshadow X 6 palette is stunning and creates those orange and burgundy eye looks that are growing in popularity. The only shade I found a little troublesome was one of the mattes (All’s Rosy) — which is sometimes the case. I found the five remaining shades to perform well. I even did a fun eye look for you, but as I got to the last part — my eyeliner — I messed up so badly that the look wasn’t so hot. I just haven’t had the energy to recreate it, but I probably will! I didn’t think I could wear this palette, but I was wrong. [Read more…]

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, MAC is releasing Betty Boop Red — a creamy matte lipstick with a true bright red hue. MAC tells us this shade is inspired by Betty’s legendary and signature red pout.

At first I thought it looked pretty close to Ruby Woo, but once I swatched them — I noticed Betty Boop Red seems to have more blue in it (to my eyes), and it’s more of a comfort matte formula. My Ruby Woo lippie feels a little bit stiffer, is definitely more matte (it’s actually the Retro Matte formula), and isn’t as blue. (Now — this is just what my eyes are telling me.) I understand if we don’t see eye-to-eye on that one. (There was a pun intended there! Sorry, just feeling a little silly right now!)

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest Betty Boop fan. I don’t dislike her character at all for any real reason, but she just never reached out and grabbed me. I was more of a Hello Kitty/Strawberry Shortcake/Miss Piggy kinda gal. Maybe it’s a generational thing — I don’t know.

To be honest, I was hoping for better specialty packaging. The exterior packaging is a special limited edition box, but the component on the lipstick is the same black MAC lipstick component we’ve always seen. I think that was a little bit of a missed opportunity — both for the brand — and for avid Betty Boop collectors.

Betty Boop Red

This officially launches on Valentine’s Day 2017, and will retail for $17. Will you be picking up MAC Betty Boop Red?

Brand new for 2017, the gorgeous and talented Taraji P. Henson is the face of the new MAC Viva Glam Lipstick and Lipglass. The Lipstick this year is a matte bold fuchsia, and the Lipglass is a glam fuchsia gloss with pink pearl.

I write a very similar post with every Viva Glam release, so if you’re already aware of the good a single Viva Glam Lipstick can do, spread the word! If not, I hope this inspires you to get involved since 100% of every Viva Glam purchase goes directly to the MAC AIDS Fund.

Just one Viva Glam Lipstick can equal…

1 rapid oral HIV test

8 nutritious, home-cooked meals

1 school stationery starter pack for a child orphaned by AIDS

1 vegetable garden starter pack for a community garden

2 safer sex kits

1 month of personal transportation to and from doctors visits

2 hours of childcare for a woman during a medical appointment

14 blood glucose monitoring strips

1 pair of shoes for a child orphaned by AIDS

…and more!

With this release, the packaging got an update. Please know that the components on them seem a little red-orange in my photographs due to lighting, but I find it to be more bright pinky-red in-person. [Read more…]

I know I’m late to the liquid lipstick party, but truth be told, there haven’t been many that have truly knocked me out. A few weeks ago though, I was introduced to Beauty Bakerie Lip Whips, and all of that changed. I finally found a long-wearing liquid lipstick that really lasts on my lips — sometimes even up to 10 hours.

Lip Whip boasts a unique formula that I’ve found to be truly smudge proof — a true testament to their tagline — “What smudge?” Simply put, I’m a believer.

The formula glides on easily, doesn’t feel thick or gloppy, and takes a few seconds to dry before really “locking” onto your lips. I don’t know exactly what sorcery is behind this formula — but it’s really neat. It applies a flexible film of matte opaque color on my lips that almost becomes like a second skin. The color moves with my lips, so it’s less likely to crack or flake. And it’s just one step! No toppers, no additional product to seal it in — just apply and let it dry. [Read more…]

With New Year’s Eve being just around the corner, the chances are you’re looking for the best ways to get gorgeous for the big night. Whether you’ll be kissing someone at the stroke of midnight, or dancing the night away — here are a few ideas that may make getting ready (and staying glam all night long) much easier!

Have no idea what to wear? That’s okay! Get thee to Rent The Runway, ASAP. They can ship you the designer dress of your dreams at a fraction of the price it would cost to own it. When you’re finished with it — you simply ship it back in the provided pre-paid bag via UPS. I’ve rented countless dresses from them (they have plus sizes, too!), as well as accessories, and I’m impressed. You can get $25 off your first order when you join now with code FIRSTRTR25P.

If makeup and hair aren’t exactly your forte, or you’re in need of a little pampering after the hectic holiday season, try Glamsquad. When you book on their app or website — they deliver a vetted beauty pro to your own house! (Major metro service areas — Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.) You can get blowouts, updo’s, makeup application, manicures, and pedicures — even nail art and gels in the comfort and privacy of your own home. This is especially great if you can’t get into a salon because they’re booked — or you just don’t have the time. Get $25 off your first appointment by using code WELCOME25.

If you’d like to DIY, but don’t know where to start with your makeup for the night, try YouCam Makeup. You just break out your phone, take a selfie — and in the app, you can see exactly how you would look with just about any makeup look! You’ll be able to give yourself a virtual makeover, check out tutorials, get great ideas, and you can also edit your photos to perfection. Choose from hundreds of makeup looks and hairstyles, or create your own. This real-time makeover and selfie cam is a lot of fun, I’ve used it several times for inspiration and photo editing. (Available for both iPhone and Android.) [Read more…]